Jul 27, 2017 • Carriers

Trucking Authority

Trucking Authority

Trucking authority allows owner-operators an opportunity to be their own boss and potentially maximize earnings by hauling freight.

Trucking Authority

Trucking authority also known as operating authority means the FMCSA will allow you to transport freight as a motor carrier. Let’s say you’ve been a company driver for over a decade now or that you’re a leased owner operator and want to start your own trucking company. Getting your trucking authority is the next step.

Essentially, you will be on your own to find and book loads giving you the freedom to search on load boards for truckloads that are the best fit for you. This allows you to set your own schedule, decide what type of loads you want to haul and what routes you want to take.

Trucking Authority Requirements

Trucking authority requirements are implemented by the FMCS trough the Unified Registration System (URS)for new applicants seeking trucking authority.To get trucking authority you will need to register through the Unified Registration System first.

It will take about 20-25 business days to process according to the FMCSA (unless subject to further review by the agency, in which case it could take an additional eight weeks).

Types of Trucking Authority

The different types of authority will affect the type of insurance a carrier will need to meet the requirements of the FMCSA.

Motor Carrier of Property – requires proof of public liability and cargo insurance
Motor Carrier of Household Goods – doesn’t require cargo insurance

Regardless of the type of authority, you will need to complete this OP-1 form to file for trucking authority.

Trucking Authority Requires Insurance

In order to get your authority the FMCSA requires you to provide proof of insurance that you have liability coverage. Your insurance agency will need to submit form BMC-91 which covers public liability in case of an accident causing injury or property damage.

Remember DO NOT submit your proof of insurance directly to the FMCSA. The FMCSA requires that your insurance company submit the form and insurance certificate on your behalf.

Trucking Authority Cost

The tucking authority cost is a $300 filing fee that is associated with registering for the FMCSA URS.

Before you start booking loads to haul, there are additional costs and fees. When you’re ready, explore our detailed guide that is sure to help you start your own trucking company.

How to Start a Trucking Company

TagsOwner Operator

Understanding Team Truck Driving [p]Trucking is a hectic job that entails adhering to DOT / HOS regulations which ultimately means you need to stop at some point to comply with the maximum driving hours. With these regulations some truckers often opt to drive with a partner to maximize efficiency. Team truck driving allows one driver to rest while the other one drives. The drivers can switch places with each other multiple times over a journey so that more distance can be covered while time is saved. [/p] [p]While some truckers love this concept, others prefer to drive solo. In any case, team driving has its perks, and they are significant enough not to be overlooked. [/p] [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/11/TP-BLOG-TeamTruckDriving-1.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> [p][b]How Does Driving With a Partner Work? [/b][/p] [p]The job is pretty straightforward. One driver drives while the other rests, eats, and sleeps. Each driver has their own duty-time set on a schedule, so there are no arguments regarding shift timings. This significantly reduces the time needed to haul loads from one point to another, and hence that results in better pay. Both drivers receive the benefits of the entire job even when they are spending half their time doing it.[/p] [p]It is easy to judge from the brief discussion above that team driving has its benefits, but it also has its disadvantages. [/p] [p][b]Advantages of Team Trucking [/b][/p] [p]It should be clear by now that for people who love to socialize and work at the same time, team truck driving is the best job to have. You rarely get bored, you always have a partner to keep you entertained and you don’t have to share meals with strangers while you are sitting at a truck stop in the middle of nowhere. But these are just a few perks. Trucking with a partner can result in a lot more advantages. [/p] <h2></h2> <li><strong>More Available Jobs </strong></li> <h2></h2> [p]Trucking with a partner is like having opened up a new skill that qualifies you and your partner to apply for jobs that would otherwise be unavailable to you if each of you were driving solo. Trucking companies like to save time and love efficiency, which is why they admire the concept of team driving. They are willing to pay you more just so you deliver the goods faster. Moreover, team trucking is a great stepping stone for you if you want to go solo in the future. Partnering up with an experienced campaigner will allow you to access high-paid jobs with relatively zero experience. Once you have the necessary hours and skill needed to go solo, you can end terms with your partner and start your gig.[/p] <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/11/TP-BLOG-TeamTruckDriving-2.jpg" alt=""] <li><strong>Consistent Income </strong></li> <h2></h2> [p]Team driving is a more attractive package for trucking companies. They know they can rely on a team to deliver faster than a solo driver. They say two heads are better than one and that sometimes holds true for trucking. If there are two drivers, there will be more driving than resting and that would mean hopping from one assignment to another. All in all, you will be making more money and that too consistently.[/p] <h2></h2> [p][b]Disadvantages of Team Trucking [/b][/p] [p]While the advantages are tempting, especially for an upcoming young driver, some veterans prefer to drive alone, and they have some good reasons for it. [/p] <h2></h2> <li><strong>The Profits Are Split </strong></li> <h2></h2> [p]The term team driving is simple to understand. You drive as a team, and that means you equally share the spoils between each other. So while the idea of trucking with a partner seems tempting, it is not might not be feasible in the long-run, especially if you are in it for the money.[/p] <h2></h2> <li><strong>Undesirable Partner</strong> </li> <h2></h2> [p]Let's face it. It is not easy to spend a considerable amount of time with another person in a small space, especially if you don't like them. Your partner has to be entertaining or compatible with your level of thinking. If not, it can be very hard to pass time or trust your teammate with the job at hand.[/p] <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/11/TP-BLOG-TeamTruckDriving-3.jpg" alt=""] <li><strong>Trouble Sleeping</strong></li> <h2></h2> [p]As a truck driver, you have been trained not to fall asleep while driving long distances. And now, you have to fall asleep once your shift ends when your partner takes over the wheel. This could be challenging especially if you are not used to sleeping when needed to. Also, you might need to get used to sleeping while listening to some up beat music while your partner drives.[/p] <h2></h2> [p][b]Closing Thoughts [/b][/p] [p]Team truck driving is a highly attractive opportunity for new drivers who are looking to add miles and for old drivers who are looking for a partner since they are unable to drive solo. The pay is not that good, but the work is consistent. So team truck driving is recommended until you feel you have the experience to drive your semi or if you are a husband and wife team who love spending time on the road and enjoy an adventure more than the pay. Are you a team driver? Do you have tips for people who want to try team driving? Let us know on the comments.[/p] <h2></h2> <h2></h2> [p][b]By Aldous Aldwin[/b][/p]

Nov 20, 2020 • Carriers

Industry Update March 8, 2019 <h2>Trucking Industry Update March 8, 2019</h2> <h4>By Jeremy Feucht</h4> <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Did you Know?</u></strong></h3> This week in history saw its very first Adopt-A-Highway sign be placed. March 9, 1985, the Tyler Civitan Club committed to picking up trash on Texas Highway 69. <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Trucking tip of the Week</u></strong></h3> Tornado season is upon us. Alabama saw 18 strike in a single day earlier this week. Tornado season usually lasts from March to June. Keep an eye out on weather forecasts and the FMCSA Declaration of Emergency page. Remember, you cannot outrun a tornado, so don’t try. <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Infrastructure</u></strong></h3> The ATA is stepping up efforts to counterman the increases they are seeing across individual states to place road improvement costs all on the trucking industry. Instead, they are offering up another idea. Called the “Build America Fund,” the ATA’s CEO Chris Spear is calling for a $.20 per gallon increase on fuel tax which would be implemented over the next five years. While any increase in fuel means increases in prices every where else, Mr. Spear makes several <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/trucking-calls-on-congress-to-draft-sustainable-user-funded-infrastructure-plan-1028009576">solid points</a> on why we can no longer ignore the infrastructure crisis in the US. <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Legislation</u></strong></h3> Last week, we talked about the ATA pushing the “Drive Safe Act.” This piece of legislation would allow those who are under 21 to drive interstate. This week Mark Allen, President and CEO of the International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) also weighed in on the topic. Mr. Allen, like the ATA, believes <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trucking-a-gateway-to-economic-prosperity/ar-BBUlH9m">this is a good idea</a> due to the increasing capacity crunch the industry is seeing. The crunch is finally starting to hit consumer pricing and presidents for associations like the ATA and IFDA are attempting to make the public understand why. Is this the best option? Maybe not, but at least groups are attempting to make sure the issues are seen and understood by those outside of the industry. <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Avoiding Toll Roads?</u></strong></h3> If you have <a href="https://cdllife.com/2019/state-police-cracking-truckers-avoiding-new-toll-road/">practiced avoiding toll roads</a> in your big rig, you might need to reconsider doing it in the future. Maryland and Delaware State Police created their own blitz. The crackdown came on February 28-March 1 and focused on drivers avoiding the US 301 toll. 85 drivers in total were stopped with 77 receiving citations and two were forced out of service. More sprees like this are expected to be conducted. Make sure you check out state laws in the jurisdictions you will be traveling in if you plan on attempting to avoid tolls.

Mar 08, 2019 • Carriers

Trucker Path's Bobblehead Photo Contest [p]PHOTO CONTEST: Our Trucker Path Bobblehead “Johnny” will be making his way around America. Here's how you can join the fun by participated in the contest and win![/p] [h2]Here's Johnny![/h2] [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2017/05/bobblehead-Johnny-1-e.png" alt=""] [h2]Photo Contest Rules – Be on the look out for Johnny[/h2] [p]If [b]Johnny[/b] is passed to you by a fellow driver please do the following:[/p] [ol][li][b]Take photos of Johnny[/b] the bobblehead as you travel along your route. Sunsets, flowing riverbank, views from your truck cab for Johnny to take in. You decide![/li] [li][b]Send your photos of Johnny[/b] to us through a direct [a href="https://business.facebook.com/TruckerPath/"]Facebook Message[/a] or email [a href="mailto:press@truckerpath.com"]press@truckerpath.com[/a].[/li] [li][b]Pass Johnny[/b] to a fellow driver you come across on the road or at a stop the following day.[/li] [/ol] [p]We'll post your photos on our Facebook Page – ones with the most likes WIN![/p] [h2]Where Will I Find Johnny?[/h2] [p][b]Johnny's route begins in America's Heartland near Cincinnati, Ohio[/b] – where he will be bobbing his head to the smooth moves of Big John – [a href="http://bigjohnsdancefitness.com/"]The Dancing Trucker[/a].[/p] [p]Let's show everyone how the trucking community is connected nationwide, hauling freight and delivering the things we all desire.[/p] [h2]Johnny at the Roebling's Bridge[/h2] [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2017/05/Bobblehead-small-e.png" alt=""] [p]Big John will pass Johnny along to a fellow truck driver he meets on his delivery route in April. Could be at a truck stop waiting in line to buy a coffee or maybe at a diesel pump while filling up. We don't know where Johnny will be or when and that's the point – it's up to you, our community![/p] [h2]Oh, the Places He Will Go[/h2] [p]From horses galloping freely through the fields of Kentucky bluegrass to the lively streets of Austin and the [i]Texas State Capitol[/i]. "The Gateway Arch" in St. Louis, MO. leading west, to the majestic Pacific coast of California – Johnny's Tour Across America has endless destination possibilities. Where will you take him?[/p] [p]The dedicated network of drivers in the trucking community travels over 432 billion miles annually. See how they can lead our eager Johnny across this great nation. 100 days to see all that can be seen![/p] [h2]Sweet Peach, Johnny's in Georgia[/h2] [p]Traveling along with with the Road Queen, [a href="https://www.facebook.com/sherri.mckinney.16?pnref=story"]Sherri McKinney[/a], Johnny has made his way to Georgia now. Keep truckin' along![/p] [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2017/05/Little-Johnny-in-Georgia.jpg" alt=""] [h2]Johnny Stopping By at a Truck Stop in Kansas[/h2] [p]There's no place like home! Well, Johnny clicked his heels three times and has since landed in Kansas for a quick bite to eat. Where to next?[/p] [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2017/05/johnny-eating-e.png" alt=""]

May 01, 2017